Woodstock hoping to win competition for free paint job

WOODSTOCK – The city is hoping to score a free makeover from a promotion to spruce up the country’s main streets – although in this case, “main” is a subjective term.

The city has been selected for Benjamin Moore’s “Main Street Matters” competition. The company has vowed to repaint 20 main streets in the U.S. and Canada during the next year, depending on which participating communities receive the most votes.

The city’s so-named Main Street wouldn’t necessarily be the site of the face-lift, although Mayor Brian Sager said it’d be under consideration.

Municipalities get to choose the stretch of businesses painted by Benjamin Moore representatives, Sager said.

“We would certainly be working with our local residents and our local businesses to determine the best area for application,” he said.

In Illinois, Woodstock and Grayslake are the only communities up for a vote.

One vote is permitted per electronic device per day on the site.

Woodstock officials are urging their residents to vote early and often, and to share their votes through social media.

Voting ends June 30.

Sager said Benjamin Moore representatives approached the city about the campaign.

“We were pleased to learn that Benjamin Moore and perhaps others in the larger U.S. are looking at Woodstock as a unique hometown,” Sager said.

Sager pointed out several areas that likely would receive consideration should the city place in the top 20. He mentioned several near the Square, including Benton Street, Jefferson Street and Johnson Street, which runs in front of the Old Courthouse.

The decision ultimately would be made with input from the community, city departments and the City Council, City Manager Roscoe Stelford said.